Medical Assisting Career Explorer

Job Description

Medical Assistants perform administrative, clinical, and laboratory procedures in a physician’s office. They schedule appointments, code and process insurance and billing, and provide care to patients.  

A person in this career:

  • Performs basic clerical/administrative skills
  • Schedules and monitors appointments
  • Prepares and maintains medical records
  • Maintains inventory and orders supplies
  • Uses manual and computerized bookkeeping systems
  • Manages accounts receivable and payable
  • Processes insurance claims
  • Takes vital signs
  • Prepares and maintains examination and treatment areas
  • Interviews and takes patient history
  • Prepares patient for examination
  • Assists physician with examinations, treatments, and minor office surgery
  • Collects and processes specimens such as blood, urine and cultures
  • Prepares and administers medications as directed by the physician
  • Performs CPR
  • Documents all medical information accurately on medical record using appropriate medical terminology 

Working conditions and physical demands:

  • Handle loads of 10 pounds to 50 pounds. You might do a lot of walking or standing, or you might sit but use your arms and legs to control machine, equipment or tools
  • Work in this occupation involves the use of protective items such as safety shoes, glasses and gloves
  • Work in this occupation involves standing more than one-third of the time
  • Exposed to disease and infections more than once per month through work such as patient care, laboratory work and sanitation control 

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

  • Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
  • Seeing clearly up close
  • Identifying and understanding the speech of another person 

Work hours and travel

Regular working hours and limited travel

Career at a Glance

Salary Range
$24,502 to $33,238

Skills Needed
Enjoy working with people
Good organization and communication skills
Enjoy working in a medical office setting

Job Duties
Document patient history and administer medications
Perform clinical procedures such as laboratory tests, electrocardiography and vital signs
Performs administrative office tasks

Work Locations
Physician's offices
Clinics
Health maintenance organizations (HMOs)